INSIDE THE BEARS.

Lack Of Versatility May Cost Mayes

The Bears made another change in their starting lineup Friday night against Tennessee, one that does not bode well for two-year starter Alonzo Mayes in Sunday's upcoming final cuts.

Mayes, who started the first three exhibition games and 25 of 32 games during the last two seasons, was replaced by John Allred at tight end. Rookie Dustin Lyman was installed as the No. 2 tight end and played on the No. 1 kickoff return and coverage teams, as did Ryan Wetnight.

Mayes, a fourth-round pick in the 1998 draft, has been lined up as fullback but coaches have been unhappy with his blocking. He does not play on special teams, a major consideration for non-starters when roster decisions are made. And because coaches have lined up a wide receiver in the tight-end slot, chances are diminishing that the final 53-man roster will include four tight ends.

However, Lyman sustained what initially was diagnosed as a sprained left shoulder in the third quarter and did not return.

Running game: Running back Marlon Barnes appeared to run his way onto the roster with carries of 13, 9, 4, 1 (for a first down) and 18 yards, the last a touchdown run on a fourth-quarter draw play. Barnes finished the exhibition season as the Bears' most effective rusher, with 116 rushing yards (to Curtis Enis' 119) in 24 carries for a 4.8-yard average.

But sixth-round draft choice Frank Murphy, Barnes' chief competition for a job, played most of the fourth quarter and caught two passes from Shane Matthews, as well as improvising a 2-yard touchdown run, bouncing away from a clogged middle then outrunning the defense to the outside.

More roster implications: In other possible roster indicators, Paul Edinger converted a 48-yard field goal in the second quarter and put kickoffs to the goal line and the Tennessee 10. Edinger made 5 of 6 exhibition-season field goal attempts, 3 of 4 from at least 40 yards. Jaret Holmes answered with a 36-yarder, his fifth in five attempts.

Pass-rush specialist Troy Wilson played with the second-string defensive line ahead of Van Tuinei, who started at right end for the final eight games last season. Phillip Daniels, Bryan Robinson and Clyde Simmons already are set as defensive ends and the Bears will not keep more than four because they also have linebacker Rosevelt Colvin playing as an end.

In demand: Bears offensive coordinator Gary Crowton has talked with officials at Brigham Young University about the head-coaching vacancy coming with LaVell Edwards' retirement at the end of this season.

Crowton, who interviewed last January for the head-coaching job with the New England Patriots, told BYU that he does not want to discuss the situation further until after the Bears' season. Crowton did not sign a contract extension offered by the Bears.

Crowton, head coach at Louisiana Tech before joining the Bears, was born in Utah, where he was an all-state high school quarterback. He and his family maintain a home in Utah.

Honoring: The Chicago City Council has voted to designate McFetridge Drive, the east-west street just north of Soldier Field, as Walter Payton Place. A ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday.